CQ, CQ, CQ, Calling Field Day……….
Once again, GCARA, has experienced another successful Winter Field Day. Many of our experienced hams as well as quite a few untried hands, came together to make a memorable and meaningful event. We came, we pitched in and we communicated on all bands as if performing a symphony for our loyal audience. Technical genius of Joe McGee NX4T was evident once again as the Field Day Chairman for this Winter Field Day event. He worked closely with our technical crew consisting of Ricky Eaton KD4HGR, Dan Vasilca AI4WW, and Jeff Stahl K4BH, who together, pooled equipment, solved “problems” and prepared for the contest in gentlemanly and sportsman-like ways. Their desire for a meaningful and educational event for the club propelled their efforts most amicably.
Of course, as with every endeavor for Field Day, there are many moving parts that need to be recognized and appreciated as each come together to make a worthwhile endeavor. I wish to thank our PIO team of Tom Savoca K9TJS and Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB, who worked tirelessly promoting the information to the public and worked on forms for the event and generally kept us in the feed on social media. They were outstanding hosts and hostesses along with Aurora Figueiredo WD4AGF, who met and spoke with every visitor to our function and made favorable impressions on all whom they met.
Thank you to all of the families who supported their loved ones by coming to the event and checking it out and breaking bread with us. Rosemarie Basting, Jean Marie Basting, Kathy Echavarria, and Aurora’s two beautiful daughters, Marina and Claudia, were amongst the attendees. It was nice to see my old friend John Sharp K2SHA visit us with the regards of his beautiful wife, Denise, K4MME, who was incapacitated and could not attend but sent her well wishes anyway. Dave Crane K4RU came and helped us out as he has done for so many loyal years of membership. We are forever in his debt, for all of his services to the club throughout the years.
Our esteemed Treasurer, Dirk Basting N4AN, stayed with us for the two day event, busily greeting people and collecting dues and monies for food donations, and was so helpful in so many ways with his positive attitude and generous nature. Thank you, Dirk, for your active participation in this weekend event.
What is an event without food? GCARA will never know that problem with the consistent help of Gerald Deitch W4LST, current Parrot Club President, who assisted this President in shopping for and transporting the goodies for this WFD. Gerry has helped me for many consecutive years in procuring food for our events and I am forever grateful for his most needed help. He, along with Kenny Hollenbeck KE4NC, helps store our coolers, grill and supplies and helps haul them to and from the events unbegrudgingly. We (or I) would be lost without the help of these two men each event. They are a couple of my favorite heros.
Another one of my favorite heros is the personable Mike Wolf KD4OVP who contributes to many activities for the club. He not only serves as a great ambassador for hams on the Southeast Traffic Net at 6 pm M-F, he always volunteers to prepare the hot food that keeps us going at picnics and Field Days. We could not get along without the delicious preparations and the delightful banter coming from Mike while he is cooking. Mike has long exhibited generosity for the club and he also shares in the care of Hope Smith WB3ANE, with many operating Field Trips to the parks, transportation to our social events and dinners and various technical help when she needs it. I call him our “Ham Angel”.
A very sweet contribution to the food menu was made by newcomer Sandy McClain N3LKW who presented us with several dozen delicious cupcakes and a banana bread loaf for breakfast which had already been quality control checked by her devoted husband, Dr Tom McClain N3HPR. Dr. Tom helped us entertain the guests and answered the many technical questions of visitors and helped provide the “friendly ham face” to the visiting public. Thank you, Sandy and Tom, for your contributions to the WFD.
Newcomer to Field Day Preparations, David Warner KB4ICU, showed his willingness to put muscle into the shopping and showed a great propensity for being able to pack a lot of goods into small spaces most efficiently. David, a veritable host of talents, proved to be quite helpful to our team.
Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB, along with Aurora Fiegueirdo WD4AGF, and Alan Lisler NT4AL, prepared and served the Brazilian Bar-B-Q for the dinnertime hour. It was a delicious repast and received many compliments from those who partook of it, including myself and Hope Smith WB3ANE, who had to take ours to go. Hope turns into a pumpkin if not back at her ALF before 8 pm and we were on our way in the early evening to do just that. The club always loves to see Hope and her positive ham attitude as she makes contacts and keeps us company during the long days of contesting. She is such a gem and a wealth of information to us all.
It’s amazing to me to see the love and support of other hams, like Ben Echavarria N#7BBE, who helps keep us safe, and Half Moon DJ4JG, whose “It’s another day in Paradise” attitude lifts us with his participation each and every time. He brought a loop antenna to show and tell and with Kenny Hollenbeck’s vintage radio gear and Ben’s equipment, it made for an interesting display for all hams and visitors to view and admire. We certainly learned a lot, gentlemen, and we thank each of you.
On a grateful note, I must call attention to the wholehearted efforts of Bill Mercer KE8TPU, who has in the last two years provided the transport of Jeff’s equipment to Field Day in his big, gorgeous, red truck. He not only was willing to do that, but he stood ready to assist in any way he could with equipment, or chores or what have you that needed to be done. What a positive and generous guy he is. He was a big help, and he was ready to help mitigate situations that popped up if need be. Thank you, Bill. You are a treasure.
Where would an emergency drill be without the appropriate power for our stations? That duty has fallen to our very engaged Jesse Shannon KJ4FKK, who not only stores and maintains our club generator, buys and brings gasoline to operate it and a fire extinguisher, but takes it back and forth to all of the events it is needed for. Thank you, Jesse, for all of your involvement and care for the club. I am especially grateful for your service, knowing the many obligations you have in life. Thank you for giving your all to us. We appreciate it.
Once again, I want to thank EVERYONE who attended WFD or helped, or just added to the joy and camaraderie. All of you are special to me and the club and without your support, there would be no club. Many hands make light work and our members know how to show their talents. I want to thank the Board for approving all of the plans and helping in any way they could. Your support was key to the success of this and every event. I feel so blessed to know every one of you.
QSL, and 73,
Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT
All hams welcome. Featuring GO Kits show and tell, fox hunt, and food.
Donations cheerfully accepted for food, suggest $10.00 but not required.
Come for a SUN and FUN day.
Vista View Park located at 4001 SW 142 Ave
Davie, Fl 33330
954-357-8898
Park entry collected $3.00 per person up to 8 people in car.
Winter Field Day (WFD) is a significant event in the amateur radio community, designed to promote emergency communications preparedness and foster camaraderie among amateur radio operators.
Here’s a brief overview of Winter Field Day in the context of the amateur radio community:
- Purpose and Scope: Winter Field Day is a 24-hour communications exercise held on the last full weekend in January. It encourages amateur radio operators to practice portable emergency communications in winter environments, emphasizing the unique operational concerns presented by freezing temperatures, snow, ice, and other hazards .
- Participation: WFD is open to participants worldwide, and individuals, as well as clubs, are encouraged to get involved. Participants have the flexibility to operate from the comfort of their homes or in remote locations, allowing for both group and solo operations .
- Operating Frequencies and Modes: Amateur radio operators may use frequencies on the HF, VHF, or UHF bands and are free to use any mode that can faithfully transmit the required exchange intact. All bands are available for use, except for 12, 17, 30, and 60 meters, which prohibit contesting. Additionally, all modes, including CW and SSB, are available for use during Winter Field
- Bonus Points and Activities: Similar to the ARRL Field Day, bonus points are earned in several ways, including using non-commercial power sources, operating from remote locations, making satellite contacts, and more. The event encourages a range of activities that promote emergency preparedness and technical skills within the amateur radio community .
- Community Engagement: Winter Field Day provides an opportunity for amateur radio operators to come together, demonstrate their skills, and engage with the public. It serves as a platform for showcasing the science, skill, and service aspects of ham radio to the broader community .
In summary, Winter Field Day is an annual event that promotes emergency communications preparedness, technical skills, and community engagement within the amateur radio community. It encourages operators to practice portable communications in winter conditions and offers a platform for demonstrating the value of amateur radio in emergency situations.
Click to download and print the PDF version
Board-Meeting-Minutes-2024-01-14NOTE: Meeting minutes are posted online as a draft for review until approved at the following meeting. Corrections can be sent to the Secretary, currently rickiwitte4@gmail.com.
Amateur Radio Winter Field Day (WFD) is a 24-hour, wintertime communications exercise held on the last full weekend of January each year. It’s a fun and challenging event for amateur radio operators of all levels to test their skills in setting up and operating a temporary radio station under winter conditions.
Here are some key things to know about WFD:
The Goal:
- Set up a portable emergency communications station and make as many contacts as possible with other participating stations.
- Practice operating in winter conditions, which can present unique challenges like cold temperatures, snow, and wind.
- Learn and improve your emergency communications skills.
Activities:
- Participants can operate on HF (High Frequency), VHF (Very High Frequency), and UHF (Ultra High Frequency) bands using various modes like phone, CW (Morse code), and digital data.
- Setting up a power source using batteries or generators is encouraged.
- Bonus points are awarded for operating from remote locations, using alternative power sources, and making contacts via satellites.
Participation:
- Open to all licensed amateur radio operators worldwide.
- Individuals or groups can participate.
- Many clubs and organizations hold their own WFD events.
Benefits:
- Great way to hone your radio operating skills and prepare for emergencies.
- Meet and connect with other ham radio enthusiasts.
- Have fun and experience the thrill of setting up and operating a temporary station in the winter elements.
Upcoming WFD:
The next WFD will be held on January 27-28, 2024.
Resources:
- Official WFD website: https://winterfieldday.org/
- Rules and regulations: https://winterfieldday.org/
- Tips for participating: https://winterfieldday.org/
Additional Information:
- WFD is not a competition, but it does have a scoring system based on the number of contacts made and bonus points earned.
- Many participants enjoy the social aspect of WFD and use it as an opportunity to get together with friends and fellow ham radio operators.
I hope this gives you a good overview of Amateur Radio Winter Field Day. If you have any further questions, please feel free to ask!
NO RSVP is Needed!
You do not have to be a member or a ham operator to join our monthly club dinner!
Check back for any updated news regarding DINNER!
If you have any questions about ham radio operator, any of the activities we do or our involvement in the community please come and ask!
Location:
Wings Plus
9880 W Sample Rd
Coral Springs, FL 33065
Our March meeting will again be presented by Robert Molleda of the NWS in Miami, this time on the Hurricane Season and storm preparedness. We invite all hams to come and learn about this season’s forecasts and how we can protect ourselves and others for it. We would greatly appreciate seeing many volunteers gear up to man the shelters this year. It is a great way to use your amateur RADIO license. See you there!
Topic: GCARA GENERAL MEETING
Time: Mar 26, 2024 06:30 PM
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CQ, CQ, CQ, calling ALL hams………….
HAPPY NEW YEAR!!!!! I hope that the holidays were kind to people and that you made many QSOs with friends and relatives this year. I have been praying for all to have good health this year and many fortuitous opportunities to use their craft with amateur radio. How blessed we are to have the skill of communication in this world, free and untethered by political intrigue. Let’s use it for the good of humanity and our fellow citizens and keep the lines of communication open to all.
It is my hope this year to see more volunteerism with our hobby. Even if you are past the age of volunteering there are things you can contribute to the hobby. For one thing, we need mentors for the newer generation and your help can make things go much better for new hams. Let’s use our license this year to make a big difference in the world from our home bases.
The first event this year for GCARA will be the Winter Field Day we are hosting along with Broward County ARES/RACES. Please do not undervalue this event. This does not happen by itself. It takes many hours of planning, paperwork and the coordination between many hams in our service to accomplish this exercise. It is very important that we see a return on our investment this year in the number of people participating in it or we may lose our venue altogether. The Broward County ARES/RACES group, as well as Gold Coast Amateur Radio Association Board, go to many lengths to provide for the ham community in this event and we also use this venue as an outreach to the public to allow amateur radio to be recognized and utilized in wider circles of society. The saying goes, “If you don’t use it, you lose it!” and that is so true here.
Our older members are now reaching an age where all of the planning and work that goes into a big effort like this, is getting difficult, no matter how positive the attitudes are. We need people who are interested in learning how to present and promote such a big event for our hobby in the future. If you have never volunteered, now is the time to do it for the ham community. Never before in our society, has it been so important and appropriate to keep our abilities to communicate with one another open and free. Censorship has become the norm in many circles. Let us not have our mouths muted in this tremendous, free opportunity for goodwill in the world. Let us share and use our talents in the world for the benefit of others.
GCARA seeks to thank and recognize the chairman of this event, Joe McGee NX4T, who has graciously and generously stepped up to do the planning and organization of our ham opportunity this winter. Joe has worked with others, like Tom Savoca, K9JTS, our PIO, Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB, Broward County RACES officer, Jeff Stahl K4BH, Broward County ARES Emergency Coordinator, Dan Vasilca AI4WW, Ricky Eaton KD4HGR, our Repeater Trustee, Gerald Deitch W4LST, Kenny Hollenbeck KE4NC, Aurora Figueiredo WD4AGF, Alan Lisler NT4AL, Jesse Shannon KJ4FKK, Ben Echavarria N7BBE, and newcomer Bill Mercer KE8TPU, all during the month of December, and through the holidays, to make this effort take shape. Thank you, ladies and gentlemen, for your help in this effort. Without your generous natures, this event would not happen. Others will help in the execution of the event in the comfortable weather we have been promised this time of year and remain to be named later. Thanks in advance for making the load lighter.
GCARA has long had the reputation for hosting these Field Days and in the last year after the COVID Pandemic Era, we have struggled to come back. If things become such a monumental struggle in the future, and no one seeks to help, it may disappear, and we will have lost a great gift to our hobby. Get involved. Call Joe McGee NX4T at 954-782-3543 to see where you can volunteer in WFD this year. We need set up and tear down people, Ambassadors to visitors, operators on the radio, a bigger overnight crew and YOU to make this a successful venture. Thank you for your consideration in this matter.
We will have several opportunities to enjoy this year’s function in the persona of antenna exhibits, a fox hunt, scheduled operating times so every person with a desire to operate a radio, can do so, and plenty of food to stave off the appetites of workers and guests.
For people setting up, there will be coffee and doughnuts from Dandees. Lunch will be hamburgers, chicken breasts, hot dogs and chili for the cool weather expected. We will once again feature the Overnighter’s dinner in the form of a Brazilian BBQ, prepared for those seeking to stay overnight. It will be a delicious high protein dinner with traditional sides overseen by Carol Sjursen KJ4AWB. You do not want to miss this incentive to stay
overnight and operate!
Mike Wolf promises to cook a morning breakfast on Sunday morning featuring bacon, eggs, bagels, coffee and orange juice to start your day.
Please do not let our efforts be for naught. Come out and visit, operate or view our exhibits, and greet any hams from out of the area who may stop
by to visit. There are never strangers at our events, only friends we have yet to make.
Thank you for your consideration and start the year off right!!
-submitted by Melanie Fernandez KJ4VCT, President of GCARA
Winter Field Day Discussion Jan. 23, 2023
Welcome to the New Year 2024! As you know, we will be having our emergency exercises at Quiet Waters Park on Jan. 27, and 28, 2024. Since our meeting falls immediately prior to that, we will hold a discussion on what is planned, and how to register for time on the radios. Joe McGee NX4T, our Field Day Chairman will be leading the conversation, and we hope that everyone who attends will plan on coming out to FIELD DAY.
Topic: GCARA GENERAL MEETING
Time: Jan 23, 2024 06:30 PM Eastern Time (US and Canada)
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